See the official Rory Gallagher website for comprehensive details of Rory’s instruments and gears.
Here, I provide a brief summary relevant to the 1985-1995 period of his career
The Rory Gallagher guitar. His constant companion and instrument of choice throughout his life
First used in Copenhagen in early 1970. After many modifications over the years, it was reverted in 1987 to its original design. The copper plate underneath the lead (bridge) pickup was also removed at this time to fix a ‘squealing problem’
First used in Milwaukee in October 1971. After being retired around 1979 as a stage instrument, it reappeared in 1987. Now, it was reverted back to its original condition (after previous modifications to Strat pickups). It was also fitted with a new back loader bridge and six holes were drilled through the body to house the six-string ferrules which now anchored the strings instead of the bridge plate itself
Rory’s number 2 Strat, purchased on tour in the US in early 1976. Used increasingly on stage from 1987 and still being used as a backup in 1991
Bought by Dónal in a US pawnshop in the late 70s. Replaced the Esquire for slide guitar and was used frequently by Rory throughout the 1980s
Bought in London in 1969 and used throughout Rory’s career
Bought in US in 1973 and used throughout Rory’s career
Used far less than in the 1970s, yet appeared on stage during Rory’s 1993 acoustic set for his Uncle Jimmy
Still used in the studio by Rory, most notably on Defender (uncredited)
Frequently used for slide in mid-1980s and borrowed by Slash during their 1991 jam at the Roxy
Used throughout the mid-1980s, most notably at the Montreux Jazz Festival 1985
Seen frequently around the time of Defender in photoshoots
Gifted to Rory by Paul Fenton in 1985
Unique guitar with built-in speaker used by Rory during the Peter Green tribute album sessions in 1995
Used on Defender‘s ‘Don’t Start Me Talkin”
Bought as a backup for Rory’s Martin D5 while on tour in Japan in 1991
Bought in early 1980s and used most notably on ‘Seven Days’ and ‘Loanshark Blues’ for Defender
Seen in Rory’s last TV session in 1994 for Rock n’ the North
Used on Fresh Evidence
Seen in a 1994 photoshoot with Rory outside the Conrad Hotel
Seen in a 1990 photoshoot with Rory for Fresh Evidence
Used by Rory on ‘Road to Hell’ for Defender
Used by Rory on Fresh Evidence
Custom built for Rory in 1992 as a gift by fan Gordon Morris. Returned by the Gallagher family after Rory’s death and later auctioned for £25,000
Given to Rory on his 1991 Japan tour. Now owned by Vincent Wolting
Occasionally used by Rory in the early 1990s as an alternative to his Martin D35
Made by Dave Edwards and seen in a photoshoot with Rory at the Bonn Blues Festival 1992
Presented to Rory by fan Gordon Morris. Used on ‘Continental Op’ on Defender
Used by Rory on stage and in the studio throughout his career
EQUIPMENT
The amp most typically associated with Rory. Despite frequently varying his rigs, the Vox could still often be found as part of the set-up. By the early 1980s, it was often used with a Marshall 50-watt combo to augment his sound
Added in the late 1970s in line with the band’s harder sound. Often hooked together with a Boss DB-5 pedal and an Ampeg VT-22
Part of Rory’s most adventurous set-up from the late 1980s onwards
Seen in a 1987 photoshoot for Guitarist magazine
Used in the studio in the 1980s and sometimes live. Now owned by Vincent Wolting
Seen in a 1990 photoshoot for Fresh Evidence
Used for equaliser, most notably in Rory’s late 80s/early 90s setup
Used occasionally from early 1980s onwards
Used occasionally from early 1980s onwards as a form of compression rather than for effect
Can be heard on later live versions of ‘Shadow Play’, ‘Moonchild’ and ‘Bad Penny’
Used occasionally from early 1980s onwards as Rory’s interest in subtle modulation and pitch manipulation developed
Used occasionally from early 1980s in live solos
Only rack-mounted effect used by Rory for its midrange possibilities
Used mainly in the studio
Favoured by Rory throughout his career for electric guitars
Favoured by Rory throughout his career for acoustic guitars
Favoured by Rory throughout his career for electric guitars
Favoured by Rory throughout his career for acoustic guitars
Rory’s first choice for acoustic slide, although used for electric slide early in his career and then revived in the 1980s (replacing the Coricidin bottle)
Increasingly used by Rory for electric slide from the mid-1980s onwards
Favoured by Rory throughout his career
REWRITING RORY 